Sanjit Bhattacharya is an entrepreneur in every sense of the word, given the definition of "a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, usually with considerable initiative and risk." From his first day on the CU campus, the enterprising freshman and PLUS scholar earned a reputation as a true go-getter.

He'd graduated from high school at age 16 and was already a star in the circulation department at the Lawton Constitution. By the time he turned 18, Bhattacharya was a regional director with a phone service provider. While still a student, he established his own real estate building and development company, a firm he continues to oversee today.

Two years ago, Bhattacharya entered the field of oil and gas exploration, despite the risks involved. Today, he heads a rapidly growing company with drilling operations in five states.

In addition to his business endeavors, Bhattacharya sets aside time to give back both to his community and to his alma mater. He is a longtime advocate of the Boys Scouts of Lawton, the Lawton Food Bank and the Salvation Army. He also shares his philanthropy through the Lily Foundation, which supports education for low income children in India.

He supports the internship program in the School of Business, awarding two internships to date. Additionally, his generosity has established the Bhattacharya Endowed Lectureship for Excellence in Research, which will advance the quality of research and creative and scholarly activity at Cameron University and in southwest Oklahoma.